OUR JOURNEY

WHERE IT ALL STARTED

RLabs is an award-winning social enterprise, first established in Cape Town, South Africa, in 2009. We have since expanded our activities to 25 countries across 5 continents, impacting more than 60 million people. Our main aim is to create spaces in which people can be impacted, empowered and transformed through HOPE, technology & innovation, training, and economic opportunities.

In 2012, the RLabs concept was introduced to Namibia, through the Namibian Business Innovation Institute (NBII) under the Namibia University of Science and Technology (NUST) formerly known as the Polytechnic of Namibia. A group of 20 young people were trained in Social Media Marketing for Businesses, using tools such as Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.

In 2013, this team officially launched RLabs Namibia in partnership with RLabs South Africa, NBII and NUST, who collaboratively developed and incubated the project. Since then we have targeted and offered FREE training opportunities to many unemployed and marginalised youth who simply do not have access to economic opportunities.

Our Vision

Our vision is to be a catalyst for an exponential technology and innovation ecosystem, vibrant talent pools and sustainable economic opportunities in Namibia.

Our Mission

We aim to embrace, educate, equip and empower Namibia’s future leaders, professionals, and entrepreneurs with 4IR skills to stay relevant in tomorrow’s economy.

PROGRAMMES

OUR OFFERINGS

Skills Accelerator

Skills Accelerator aims to equip youth to participate in the digital economy by developing their digital skills to succeed in a 21st-century workplace. We provide access to international and industry-led certification from trusted and globally recognized partners.

Virtual Incubation Programme

Our Virtual Incubation Programme celebrates the wonderful women who uphold our society, by helping them turn their passions into viable business models. Over 10 days, we cover 7 modules, then provide them with opportunities for funding and mentorship.

Community Outreach

Many of our communities still face destitution, and travel distances to access opportunities make it even harder to progress. Our mission is to spread hope in ways that alter how they see themselves, entrepreneurship, and the problems they face.

Learn more about our offerings

FOOTPRINT

OUR IMPACT

Programme Graduates

1658

Innovators Mentored

16

Scholarship Enrolments

439

TEAM

OUR BOARD

Silas Newaka

BOARD CHAIR

Emilia Shikwamhanda

EXECUTIVE BOARD MEMBER

Christine Taphel

NON-EXECUTIVE BOARD MEMBER

Rene Parker 

NON-EXECUTIVE BOARD MEMBER